Tell Your Parents About The Added Company Of Your Travels

"Mom, Dad?" you say, your heart pounding hard about how they'll react to your added company.

"What is it, Son?" Dad asks as he get to his feet.

"Um... my mate isn't the only one I came home with."

Dad walks up next to Mom and holds her close. "What do you mean?" he asks.

You play with your fingers, trying to calm your nerves. "Um, her father kinda came with us."

Mom and Dad look at each other for a moment, before turning their attention back at you. "Well, that's interesting. Any reason?"

"She was banished, and he was too. But... that's not all..."

Your Dad rubs the bridge of his nose and sighs. "What else?"

"Um... Mom's... I mean I met my Grandpa."

"You what?!" Mom bursts out. She then takes your shoulders and quickly looks over you, as if looking for any wounds.

"I'm okay, Mom."

"No, you're not! You're lucky to be alive at all. What happened?"

"He made a deal with me."

"You didn't agree did you?" she begs.

"Well, it was that, or be put to ****."

Mom closes her eyes and breathes heavily. "What was the deal?"

"He'd let me live and keep my mate, if I'd bring him to you."

Mom's eyes widen in fear and she takes several steps back. "You... he's here? Now?"

You quietly nod, and silence blankets the room. Mom breaks the silence with a scream when Dad brings her into a hug. He whispers something to her, but you can't hear it. Probably something reassuring like, "I'll never let him take you away from here."

After a while, Mom recomposes herself, and you feel terrible about striking this deal. "Please tell me you took the swamp path." Dad asks.

"Of course. I sensed that we had some added company, and decided to take it safe."

"So," Dad says, "He's here by himself then?" You nod and Dad grins wickedly. "Good."